June 27, 2013

How To Paint Laminate Furniture in 3 Easy Steps!

When we moved into our house a few years back, we had two hot pink couches and a mattress on the floor. That's about the time I began finding old thrift store furniture and painting it...and out of necessity, a hobby was born.

Now three years later, I've painted and repurposed tons of furniture, and my entire house is furnished with my finds. This aqua blue dresser is one of my favorites. Enjoy!

Last week some friends were moving and they gave me a bunch of furniture from their basement. It was some pretty dated stuff, but I knew I could up update with paint. The pieces were laminate, which usually isn't ideal, but I get tons of questions about how to paint laminate furniture, and I knew this would be a great chance to talk about it. So, here we go. This is how to paint laminate furniture. I paint the majority of my real wood pieces this way, too, so it really works for just about any sort of wood furniture.

The dresser was in great shape, and was a perfect paint candidate. After just a couple hours of work, this is what I ended up with. I think it's my favorite paint project.

Or at least a good rival to my all-time favorite. It's hard to compete with that one.

So let's talk about the actual process of painting. One of the most common questions I get about painting laminate furniture is if it should be sanded first. In my experience, no. Sanding laminate furniture can damage the laminate and basically ruin the piece. So, be careful.

Rather than sanding the laminate, all you have to do to get the paint to adhere correctly is prime.

The reason you should prime your laminate furniture first before painting is simple. Laminate has a shiny finish and if you just try to paint directly on it, the paint will not adhere well and you'll visibly see the paint bubble up as soon as you apply it. I've made this mistake before, and it's a sad moment. The solution is primer. Primer will adhere to the laminate, and it will create a surface that your paint can adhere to. It will keep your paint from scratching or peeling off, it will cover up the wood stain, and it will even cover up that musty smell old furniture tends to have. Basically, primer is awesome.

The primer I usually use is Zinsser primer (affiliate link). I've also used Kilz, and it works really well, too. Just look for a primer that says it's good for adhesion.

Once you allow your primer to dry (You probably only need to wait a couple hours, but I let it dry overnight.), it's time to paint the dresser. I was able to do the entire dresser with one small $3 sample of Behr flat paint in Marina Isle. It's one of my favorite paint colors. It looks amazing on furniture and is the perfect little aqua. To apply the paint you'll need an angled paintbrush and a small foam roller. I use the angled paintbrush to get into all the crevices and corners, and then I smooth everything with the small foam roller as I go, getting rid of any brushmarks. This will give you a flawless, factory-like, smooth finish. I did 2 coats, allowing it to fully dry between coats.

I put a tarp on my bedroom floor and painted it right there.

I'm a ridiculous person and I do not recommend this.

Once your paint has dried, it's time to seal it. This is the last step. I knew this dresser would be getting a lot of use and I needed it to be durable. So rather than wax it like I do to my chalk paint pieces (like this one), I decided to use polycrylic. If you need your paint job to be durable, go with polycrylic (affiliate link). Polycrylic is great because it's durable like Polyurethane, but it doesn't yellow over time and it's really low-odor. To apply your polycrylic, just brush it on with a high quality paint brush. I did 2 coats, allowing it to dry for several hours in between. If you can see any brushmarks, you can sand lightly with fine grit sand paper once the polycrylic is dry.

After the dresser was fully cured (about 24 hours), it was time to change the hardware. Changing the hardware is one of the best ways to update old furniture. Although the old hardware wasn't bad, and could have been easily updated with a coat of silver or ORB spray paint (seen here), I decided to try something new.

After finishing up my kitchen cabinets and being thrilled with the hardware from D. Lawless, I was browsing their store and found that they had an amazing selection of antique restoration hardware. I had been looking for something like this for a really long time, and was so excited.

It took me forever to decide, too, because there were tons to choose from. I eventually chose the stamped solid embellished brass bail pull.

These pulls were only $3.45.

Which is crazy talk.

The pulls were originally brass, but I wanted to spray paint them silver. The gold pull looked really chic and reminded me of my favorite kitchen island ever, but it just looked off when combined with the other furniture in the room. So, ultimately, I decided to spray paint the hardware.

I'm happy with the way it turned out after spray painting the hardware, and it feels like it just fits in with the rest of the bedroom.

A few hardware spray painting tips: Since I didn't want the pulls to be bright chrome, I decided to layer some spray paints. I sprayed the hardware first with the Rust-Oleum Bright Coat Chrome and then gave it a really fine misting with the Rust-Oleum Universal Pure Gold (affiliate links). I love the result. It ended up being a really pretty pewter, and because it has some dimension to it, it doesn't look so spray painted.

Here's a closeup of the hardware after being spray painted.

To finish everything, I added a few thrift store finds to the top of the dresser.

And whatever the cheapest flowers were at Kroger.

I found the starburst mirror at Costco for $20. It was originally an outdoor mirror, but whatever.

And that, friends, is the story of the blue dresser/how to paint laminate furniture! Thanks so much for being here.

Want more? Head over to this post and check out my top 10 thrift store furniture makeovers,

thanks for the update - I have a laminate dresser and 2 bedside tables that I got at Ikea forever ago and am so looking forward to giving them an update when we move to our new home! Thank you so much for the ideas and the steps involved.

Thanks so much for the tutorial!! I was wondering if you have any tips on how to paint over water stained laminate? I know you said that you cannot really sand over the laminate and since most of the laminate furniture is made from mdf or a material like that it is easily damaged when a wet cup is set ontop of it :( soo i was wondering if you had any tips on how to go about covering the water stains on this kind of furniture?!

Hi Jessica! You can either just paint over it with the primer and it will cover it, or you could use a little wood filler and smooth it down with fine grit sandpaper. It won't ruin it if it is sanded lightly...you just don't want to sand so hard that it sands through that top layer of veneer. Really though, I would just prime over it. :)

LOVE that dresser 'after'! Love the color and the color of the pulls too.:-)

OK...so ya want another way to paint laminate? Spray paint! Hubby and I spray painted 5, yes five!, pianos! :-) It's a painter's dream and you don't need to sand and ya don't need to seal either cuz spray paint is oil based so it really sticks. The best spray paint we've found is Krylon's made for plastic ...cuz after all laminate is sort of a plastic ;-)

Annnnddd...just in case you're wondering, it takes 6 cans of satin black for an upright piano and 10 cans of satin ivory :-) And yup, it holds up really well :-)

truly beautiful finished piece.....i must say: YOU GIVE THE MOST AMAZING INSTRUCTIONS. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I HAVE LAMINATE PIECES I'VE BEEN EAGER TO PAINT. THANKS TO YOU I CAN.LUV THIS BLOG....BLESSINGS..LESA

Hey Virginia! First time commenter, long-time reader here! I just wanted to say thanks for this post and all your inspiration. I just moved into my first house about a year ago and it'd be looking pretty sad if I didn't have awesome bloggers like you to refer to! Love the dresser!! Any tips on how I can teach my friends that I'm the go-to person for their old furniture. ;)

Fabulous! I painted our son's (who is waiting for us in an orphanage in India) dresser that was part laminate. Primed it, painted it with a few coats but couldn't get the red color just right so I finished it up with spray paint and it's perfect. Do I need to use polycrylic it too?

Have you ever used primer from a spray can? I'm just wondering how it adheres compared to the kind you would roll on. I guess I would also need to pay attention to whether or not its oil based or water based?

So gorgeous! I just discovered your blog as I am getting ready to move into a house after 20 years of condo living! You're helping me get geared-up! I think I will refo my childhood bedroom set in this color for my daughter-- thanks for he inspiration!

Hey you are awesome. Just wanted to know if its fine to use the same brush for the primer, paint and finish? Of course after washing each time. Plus what kind of brush would you recommend? Its quite confusing. Mohair?

Could this work on the cheap book shelves from Target/Walmart that are press-board? I really don't want to have to buy new book shelves, but they currently look like something from my old college apartment.

I was just wondering because I have picked up 2 discarded mostly laminent wood pieces of furniture. There are scratches on them not deep but enough to make it very unapealing to the eye. What would i do, since I read that you said you cant sand laminent furniture and would ruin it. Please help I really dont want to find out I cant redo them .

Hi April! I would use Elmer's Wood Filler on the scratches and then sand it even with the wood after it dries. You can sand it lightly and it will be fine. You just can't sand it like you would a normal piece of wood. Hope that helps!

Oh man. Do I have a million thanks for you. I discovered your blog (bible?) by googling "ugly-as-sin laminate furniture." (Ok, maybe not that EXACTLY, but I'm pretty sure that's a good approximation.) That was three days ago. Now the ugly laminate is awesome, a bookcase is primed and BEGGING FOR some paint. Now I plan on painting EVERYTHING: vanities, dressers, my husband's skepticism...

Kate!! That's awesome!! Thanks so much for letting me know. I'm pretty excited for your new 'paint everything' journey, having embarked on one of my own several years ago. Also, your comment was hilarious! Thanks girl!! xo

HA!!!!!! Well, I'm about to acknowledge you twice...because you are just THAT awesome! (And also.......I am about the farthest thing from a celebrity possible. But, thanks for putting some wind in my sails anyways!) MUAH!

I just wanted you to know that I love your blog! I tried painting a wood laminate dresser for the first time (my daughters huge dresser) and it turned out wonderfully! The style was very feminine for being such a large piece but the wood just gave it an ugly outdated look. I have been struggling with painting it or not but after reading up on some of your projects it gave me the confidence to give it a shot and now I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner! I can't wait to paint more pieces and get to work on some more home improvement projects in my 1940's home that have been intimidating me. Thank you so much!

I am preparing to paint a dresser that is similar to this, my drawers are wood and the sides and top are laminate. Did you sand your drawers at all-or just put primer on everything and painted. Also, I'm going to distress it- do I wait after I distress it to apply the top coat?

I am preparing to paint a dresser that is similar to this, my drawers are wood and the sides and top are laminate. Did you sand your drawers at all-or just put primer on everything and painted. Also, I'm going to distress it- do I wait after I distress it to apply the top coat?

I have been encouraged by your post! I work for a non-profit and people donate their used furniture to us to sell so we can run our program. We usually sell stuff so cheap because it always that particle board boring brown stuff. I really want to play around with some things now and see if I can change it and still make a profit for our program! I feel so energetic, I can't wait!!!

Having made some furniture courtesy Ana White i totally ruined all those efforts by painting them awfully. since discovering your blog i have been reading your blog entries on painting furniture almost daily. i need some courage desperately to start on those. your posts are so nicely written and the after photos so beautiful, i feel i can do it even though i am in india and many of the products you talk about we don't even have here i think like polycrylic

OMG! OMG! I cant stop reading your blog ever since I discovered it last evening. I was googling about painting my old laminate, similar chest, which I found in Goodwill (Thrift store in Toronto).You are amazing. thanks for all the details and picture. I am doing it this weekend.

does flat paint give it a chalkie look or does the polycrilic shine it up a bit? do you ever use semi gloss? if so how do you like it? im getting ready to paint an old dresser handed down to me from grams who had it since she was small.. so i really want it to come out nice : )

Hi there! Yes, the polycrylic shines it up. I've used semi gloss paint before many times, and love the way that looks as well. I just usually do the flat paint + polycrylic these days, it is usually gives a more durable finish. :)

YOU! My dear...are the reason I opted to paint my ancient (slight exaggeration) dining table and chairs. ;-) I started yesterday, so wish me luck. I originally just wanted to buy a new set but after reading this... I KNOW I can do this! Thanks, you are saving me lots of money! oh! almost forgot, quick question...? Did u sand between coats for the polycrylic?

I took on my first DIY this week and pained my laminate table black. UGH (not a good choice for the first project LOL). Anyways, after priming and a few coats of the paint I decided to put the polyacrylic on to protect from wear and tear and make it shiny. Long story short, even after painting how you recommended, when it dried there were brushstrokes everywhere :/ I was wondering, did you sand in between coats of polyacrylic? Or did you go over with a roller? Pleaseeeee help! I cant wait to show you before and afters <3

Oh no! I'm so sorry that happened, Demree! I've had that happen before on a dresser and it was so frustrating! After a little trial and error, I've found that using those inexpensive foam brushes to apply the polycrylic works best. These days, I apply one coat with the foam brush, let it cure for a few hours, sand it with fine grit sand paper, and then repeat that process with another coat or two of polycrylic. Since you've already done the polycrylic coat, I would just go sand it and add your next coat with the foam brush. Let me know how it turns out!

hi and thank you so much for the Step by Step. Gorgeous piece and great instructions and links. Question - does the primer step have a smell? i know you said you threw a tarp down and painted, but i'm not sure if that included the primer step ? i have a small place with no garage unfortunately.... Thank you very much for the scoop on this point!

Seriously this is my new favorite blog. I love how detailed all your tutorials are. Your house is BEAUTIFUL! I'm working on a dresser right now that will be also used as a changing table, and I was wondering what finish you would recommend for it. I don't want it to be too shiny yet I want it to be easy to wipe down. Also does the finish smell? The dresser is in my living room since I've been working on it late at night, so I'm wondering if I should move it into the garage before finishing it. Thank you!!

Hi Virginia! For the first tine in my life I'm commenting on a blog, I'm so inspired and blowed away by your style that I keep entering everyday to see if you posted something new. I just adore everything, my housband thinks I'm going mad because I want to buy used stuff to renovate it! Thank you so much for sharing all your knolegde. I wish we had all those azing product and thrift stores here in Venezuela! Please show us what to do to make a router, phone station look beautifull! I really need some ideas and who better for that than you! :) keep your great ideas! I declare myself a Virginia fan jeje

also, i have found and been reading your blog over the last few hours and love it! love your style and bravery and i can't wait to use some of the tips i've learned here to paint some furniture soon! :)

I love your blogs, your honesty, tips, mistakes...love it all!! For any of us who have more time and creativity than budget know, it is all in the paint and finding the right pieces to work with. Paint is my best friend and on a normal day taking the kids to some lesson or other, I came across a smallish 6 drawer dresser perfect for my very french shabby chic guest bedroom. It was $5 and for the first time I am taking on laminate. My instinct was to lightly sand to give it "tooth" for priming, but decided to Google and found your delightful site! I now have all the paints, primers, painting tape and did my before picture which included stickers all over the drawers. I need a statement piece in this room of pinks, greens, whites and little bits of yellows, so I am painting 6" yellow and white stripes on the dresser top, yellow on the sides and using fleur de lis pale yellow stamps, slightly sanded for age on the alternating yellow and white drawers. I am SO thankful I found your site and didn't sand as my "month in the mind dream dresser" plans would have been junk! Can't wait for the "after" picture and the dresser that my mom-in-law will appreciate the most; both for its look and its practicality. Thanks. Thanks. Thanks. Keep painting!!!

Help please! I've been using your blog as my house inspiration...it looks AMAZING! I'm trying to paint an end table for the first time and I think I ruined it already. I used oil-based primer like you said. It's a wooden end table, not a laminate one. I probably should have sanded it first, but I didn't. It's been three days and the primer is still kind of wet and sticky in some spots. Is this because I didn't sand it? I didn't put it on too thick. What should I do? Sand it all down and start again? Did i use the wrong primer? I want my furniture to look as beautiful as yours! :D- Meghan

Hi Meghan!I'm so sorry you are having a difficult time. It's likely due to your primer.I would allow a few more days for the oil based primer to fully cure and then paint it with oil based paint. If you choose to redo it with water based primer, make sure you use water based paint over top of the primer. Water based products are what I use and they dry quicker and are much easier to use. They don't smell either! :) Hope that helps!

I love all of your diy tips!! I can't wait to start my projects now that I have some guidance from you. Me and my new family have a similar story. We have just bought our dream home and we are now short on cash to furnish it. We have old bedroom furniture that needs some help, big time. I do have a question: Our furniture is laminate and old, on a side table there is a raised spot where the "wood" has lifted due to water damage (my wonderful husband left a glass of iced water on it too long without wiping dry) and I was wondering if you knew a way to fix it? I know cant sand it so I am at a loss as to what to do.-Ashley

Great tips! I have my eye on an Ikea wardrobe and LOVE the high gloss doors, but they add an extra $130 over the regular (laminate) flat white doors. If all these steps are necessary to go from flat white to high gloss white, I'm game since it would still be a significant cost savings, but based on all the ideas in the comments, maybe that's not necessary. A white gloss rustoleum spray for plastics maybe? Or clear gloss polycrylic on its own?

Would love to hear your thoughts, but I'm saving this post either way!

Hi Virginia. I love your blog! I was wondering if you think this method of painting laminate would work with a kitchen table? The top of my kitchen table is laminate bute the rest is wood. Would just priming it and painting it last?

I am so glad I stumbled across this. I just bought a credenza that I THOUGHT was wood, but was not...it was laminate. We were planning on sanding and you literally saved the day! NEW FAN!! thank you for such easy instructions and illustrations as well!

You have totally inspired me. I spent yesterday painting an old media console I bought in the 90's - not laminate but veneered and beaten to heck after 10 years, 3 children, 4 cats, 4 dogs, and 5 living rooms. I thrifted a barrister's shelf for its spot in the living room (my TV is mounted on the wall, so I don't really need a console any longer.) I am thinking it will live in the foyer next to my bedroom door and will host a thrifted pitcher and basin set. My next project is my kitchen table, chairs, and hutch. The hutch and table ARE laminate-topped. Wish me luck! I've also become addicted to spray painting. Thanks, Virginia!

I just found your blog and have been reading it for HOURS!! You're my new heroine - I anticipate saving time and $$$ following your tips. Here's my issue: would you suggest trying to paint laminate kitchen countertops? I need to upgrade the look of my home, and I'm wondering if I can use a chalk paint to mimic slate countertops? Thoughts?

Hi Nancy! Thank you so much! Here are several links to products that can be used to paint countertops. I would look into one of those first! Hope that helps! http://www.mom4real.com/2013/01/faux-granite-countertops-with-giani-granite-paint.htmlhttp://www.uglyducklinghouse.com/2011/02/i-painted-my-kitchen-countertops.html

I have an old wood secretaries desk with just the top of it being veneer (i think). Its shiny and has been very durable. I have had this piece of furniture since about 8th grade and I am 55 now!. All my other furniture is very dark wood and this piece is the old Maple color. I just wanted to sand and stain to match my better furniture but have no idea what to do with the very top of it. H E L P

I found a wood kids bedroom set with laminated top and sides.Its white washed in color but has multiple areas where the laminate was peeled off the top edges and it has an ugly brown cheap looking material showing through on these areas.Can this be fixed?

Thanks for this tutorial; I love finding thrift store pieces, then get them home and scratch my head. I often pass up laminate pieces because I just don't know to work with them, but I'm not afraid to anymore :)

This is awesome wish I would have found this before I messed up my daughters night stand. Question for the paint color. Do you always use a flat paint? Is it better? Or do you use the flat paint because the polycrylic gives it the shine look?

thanks for these wonderful tutorials.. i'm using this to paint an old dresser to use for storage in my new sewing/craft room.. I am also re-painting my horrible kitchen cabinets using your tutorial.. it seemed impossible to do myself until i found you... thank you so much for helping me see i can do this myself..

Would this work on something like particle board ikea furniture, too? I love my little cubicle organizer, but it's a dark brown to match my current room. You've inspired me to switch to white and blues, and I'd love to still use this piece (only a few months use). Thank you so much for the blog! As a college student moving into my first non-furnished place, this has given me hope and inspiration that I can decorate on a budget with a little TLC!

This is exactly what I was looking for! I have a bedroom suite that is functional, but not pretty. I started trying to sand it so I could re-stain it and realized that it was veneer so that wasn't going to work. Thanks for making the steps simple and easy :)

I just have to say I have so enjoyed your tips and tutorials. I love reading and laughing along and learning. You have made DIY seem less daunting. I didnt think I could do it but I have made a few things that I am proud of. Thanks!!

I have been asked to do a refab on a laminate dresser for a nursery. In my research I came across your blog....can't thank you enough for all the helpful tips! One question though...the dresser I'm working on has a few light scratches that I don't want to show through the paint...how would you go about fixing these before you prime? Thanks!

Hi Sean! You can fill any scratches or dents with wood filler. Just apply a small amount and sand it with fine grit sandpaper once it's dry. Then you can just prime and paint over it and it will look good as new!

I'm so excited about this post!! When I got married 9 years ago, the furniture my mom surprised me with in high school came with me. I never liked the furniture, but it was a lovely gesture and I've never had the heart (or money) to part with it. We're moving at the end of the summer and I've dreamed of a new bedroom suite in the new house. Money-wise, that just might not happen. You've inspired me to paint this furniture and make it new for our new space! Thank you!

We were going to put it in my 5 year old daughter's room whenever we got new furniture. I'm excited to maybe even paint it purple for her.

Jessica, how about using white paint for your daughter's furniture as Virginia has done and use purple as accent in your accessories or even wall color. Seems like it would be easier and less laboring to change accessorties then to have to repaint a bedroom suite again as she gets orlder. Just my 2 cents.

Virginia, I thought some furniture items looked familiar and when I took the tour of your bedroom, saw the before picture and after, I remembered I found your beautiful blog earlier this year and commented on it. You've come a long way, baby! Your bedroom is so beautiful and serene looking yet so elegant! God gave you a special gift and you are certainly using it.

I just love what you did with that dresser! I've been trying to tap back into my crafty side but I'm so worried I might make things look worse instead of better! I have a question about the primer also, do you th ink a spray paint primer would work? What kind should I look for if it did? Also after doing this method do you think I could distress it to add some character or would it not come out right? Any advice is helpful thank you and your such an inspiration!

I just love seeing the projects you've done, you're such an inspiration! I used to do crafts all the time but after going through some hard times and after having my first child got into the whole laying around with my sweatpants and hiding thing. Now my family has just moved and I'm ready to start tapping into my "craftyness" again lol. I am wondering if you could help me with a few things. I was wondering if a spray paint primer would work instead or if it would be better to do pain't primer like you did? Also if I did do a spray paint primer would I still be able to sand it if necessary? Any and all advice is most welcome, thank you for doing this blog! I now have ideas for projects that can help give me something productive to do!!!

Hi Alicia. If you use a spray paint primer (usually oil based), I would make sure to use a spray paint over top (also oil based). But, yes, that would work, although it might be expensive if you are painting a large piece. You can sand the primer if you need to with a very fine grit sandpaper. Hope that helps!

Lovely. And thank you for your very detailed instructions on how to paint over laminate. I have a desk that's sooo old, scratched, etc. and I've already ordered the Primer and Polyacrylic from Amazon. I love the "outside" mirror. Perfect touch!! Thanks again! Claudia

We just scored a couple of (free!) tall, deep bookshelves that are cheap veneer. I want to paint them white to use in my kitchen (I have no pantry), but they have plastic trim which add to their charm. Should I use spray paint on that? How do you recommend I approach them? There's some deep carving-like detailing.

I love this post. You have just saved me a ton of trouble and fishing the internet for how to redo this roll top desk I'm rehabbing for my mom. I bought it and was told it was solid wood. Sure heavy enough to be but alas it was MDF with laminate Figured that out as I had to peel some laminate off :( I now can get started on it much sooner than I thought thanks to you. I'm also a sucker for free or cheap furniture to rehab. I've done a set of bunk beds and dresser for my kids so far and have the roll top desk with a chair and a dresser lined up. Can't wait!

I loved your tutorial! Super helpful and inspiring. I found a vintage dresser from the 60's at a thrift shop and knew it was going to be the best "1st project" thanks for helping me feel less scared of a huge DIY project. I have some quick questions:Does it matter whether I do 1 or 2 coats of primer? Can I use a paint roller for the Polycrylic, or would a brush be better?Thanks!

Hi Chasity! I usually just do one coat of primer, but if you notice that the stain is seeping through the primer after the first coat dries, it might be best to do two. Also, I would definitely use a brush for the Polycrylic, as the roller makes it bubble up. Hope that helps!

Thanks for this tutorial! I finished my side table today and I absolutely love it! I can't wait to finish the rest of my bedroom set. Thanks again :) I didn't have as much patience to wait for hours for paint to dry but I'm happy it didn't ruin the project.

Is painting laminate furniture the same as painting formica? I tried the same technique on my kitchen cabinet doors which are formica, some are fine but others have chips taken out of them. I primed, painted and protected but still chips. Any advise?

Okay, I specifically came back to your blog and found this post, which I first saw on pinterest (which led me to your blog to begin with) because I was mesmerized by it, and because of one thing. That mirror only cost $22!!!!! That is incredible!!!! I was in a kind of outlet store, and saw one just like it for $100. I'm amazed and will be hitting up Costco for finds like that!

Initially, I was looking at how to redo my dresser, which I am doing, and have been helped by your information!! I totally got wrapped up in these posts though. I have my own little miniature start up blog, which is more about everything (hopefully has a little a humor, and is not just design), which I'm trying to build. I could literally lose endless Saturdays with your posts though.

thank you!

(And just in case any of the small timers want to collaborate and need a smaller forum to start up, my blog is myreverielane.blogspot.com)

I'm loving your blog! Just discovered it! I'm obsessed with paints too and your posts have been super helpful! Wondering if you have a recommendation for a realistic chrome spray paint? I've bought some before but it comes out quite silver rather than shiny chrome. I've been told I've got to use a spray gun to get that effect. Thanks so much! Monica

Quick question...when you go over your brushed on coat with the foam roller, are you adding paint to the foam roller? Or are you just using a dry foam roller to smooth out the brush strokes? Great DIY tips & project, thanks for sharing!!!

That paint color looks so beautiful, light and bight in you pics! It's exactly the color I'm looking for to paint furniture for our nursery but when I looked at the sample card it seems so dark! Does the paint photograph lighter than it actually is?

I was reading your blog and came across that adorable, antique mirrored perfume tray on your dresser. I'm dying because I have the EXACT same one! ha ha ha! Random that I see the same one on your blog! Where did you get yours?

Thanks to you and your many many posts on the trial and error of making nice things, I've gotten brave enough to actually do it instead of accumulating bookmarks about doing it! I mean, I'm still hoarding those bookmarks, but they're mine and you can't take them from me. I can't wait to finish the desk I'm working on, so I can show you! You're (in part....big part) responsible for its transformation from ugly brown duckling to beautiful blue swan!

Hi...I just found your blog. Thanks for the tips. I also just saw the same rug in your photo of this post, in one of the Fixer Upper episodes. Can you please tell me where I can get this rug? I am one of those who is very particular about rugs, and usually the ones that I like the most, happen to be the most expensive...maybe this one is different :) thanks!

I was thinking about buying new bedroom draws as the white has gone a funny colour, I asked my husband about repainting them but he said you can't due to them being laminated. Anyway I thought I'd ask goggle and I found your blog. I'm so pleased to say at the least. Thank you I'm over the moon as I'm going to do this and brighten up the bedroom furniture. Many thanks Lisa. PS I love your work!

I totally did this myself for a dresser set that I have split in two rooms now. I've had them and hated them frankly for well over 25 years but they were sturdy and I had boys. :-) I love the way they turned out. I'm thinking of repainting my walls now and I love the subtle contrast between your dresser and wall. It looks like a light green in the pictures. Do you remember the color name? Its very soothing. Thanks so much for this post!

Thank you for sharing all the wonderful pics, ideas and tips. It helps me to get the materials and diy my daughter bedroom which has build-in shelves and cabinet. I used similar aqua color and it turns out superb! Tons of thanks again! (We are in Singapore and it took us some time to find the primer and polycrylic as DIY shops here just carry the basic stuff).

This is really helpful! I have a piece that has been sitting in my garage waiting for paint for months!

I'm not sure if you already answered this question (so many comments!) but how much primer did you use? The link you have is a quart but in the past I had been told it would take alot more than that. I had actually been putting painting this off because of how expensive I had been lead to believe it would be but after reading this, I'm really excited to get started on it!

How cute! That turned out perfectly! I LOVE that color and how it goes with the metallic hardware. I think I'm going to start buying secondhand furniture and rehabbing it. :) You inspired me. Thanks. :)

Thank you for this wonderful post! I am just getting back into DYI projects and I am about to do an expresso headboard and bookcase. I think I can do this well.....but wish me luck! Love your detailed, step by step instructions. Ready to start now!

Hi Virginia! I am your new subscriberI discovered you from Christine Kobzeff. I love your blog and really love this post. I am a newlywed as well so I'm really excited for this DIY home projects for my husband and I to try out together. Thank you for sharing.

Virginia, Thank you so much for the step by step instructions. I am a brand spanking new furniture painter and it's terrifies me!! I just moved into a new home with my girls and my fiancé (renter white blank canvas ready for my creative decorative flair heehee) with no furniture and a tight budget. I picked up a dresser with wood front and laminate sides. When I applied the primer it would bead up on the edges, I kept at it but eventually had to give it a sanding to make it stick. (What would you have done?) Next I painted 3 coats and then added 1 coat of the Polycrylic you suggested. I let that dry then I painted a glaze on and as I was wiping that off I noticed a couple small areas where the primer was showing through. Ugh!!! Help, What did I do wrong?

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Hi! I'm Virginia! I'm a newlywed & new homeowner who loves decorating and DIY projects. Making something new out of something old is what inspires me! I'm constantly looking for affordable ways to transform our house! This is my place to share inspirations and DIY! Oh, and maybe talk a little bit about my love for very fat cats. View my story